Katharine Viner Named Next Editor-In-Chief Of The Guardian

Katharine Viner has been selected as the next editor-in-chief of Guardian, the media company announced Friday.

Viner, currently the editor in chief of the Guardian U.S., will succeed Alan Rusbridger when he steps down this summer. Rusbridger announced in December that he would be leaving his post after 20 years at the paper.

She will become the very first female editor-in-chief in the paper's 194-year history.

Viner called it "an enormous privilege and responsibility."

"I intend to lead a media organisation that is bold, challenging, open and engaging," she said, according to the press release. "It will be a home for the most ambitious journalism, ideas and events, setting the agenda and reaching out to readers all around the world.”

The Scott Trust, owner of Guardian Media Group, announced it's decision Friday after conducting final interviews. Earlier in March, Guardian and Observer staffers voted Viner as their pick for the next editor-in-chief, placing her on the shortlist of candidates.

“Katharine shone through in what was a tremendously strong line up of candidates," The Scott Trust chair Liz Forgan said. "The Scott Trust is confident that Katharine, building on the extraordinary achievements of Alan Rusbridger, is the right person to lead the Guardian and the Observer as we expand on new platforms and in new markets".

Read the full announcement below:

20 March 2015, London: Katharine Viner has today been appointed by The Scott Trust to succeed Alan Rusbridger when he steps down as editor-in-chief of Guardian News & Media in the summer. Katharine is currently deputy editor of the Guardian and editor-in-chief of Guardian US.

Liz Forgan, chair of The Scott Trust, said: “Katharine shone through in what was a tremendously strong line up of candidates. In her 18 years at the Guardian she has done almost every editorial job in the organisation, including running Guardian US and Guardian Australia, and has shown herself to be an inspiring and courageous leader. She has embraced the huge changes in the industry with creativity and relish whilst bringing with her a deep commitment to the Guardian's traditions of plural, liberal journalism. The Scott Trust is confident that Katharine, building on the extraordinary achievements of Alan Rusbridger, is the right person to lead the Guardian and the Observer as we expand on new platforms and in new markets".

Commenting on her appointment, Katharine Viner said: “Being editor-in-chief of the Guardian and Observer is an enormous privilege and responsibility, leading a first class team of journalists revered around the world for outstanding reporting, independent thinking, incisive analysis and digital innovation. I am honoured to succeed Alan Rusbridger, whose remarkable tenure will be remembered for prize-winning journalism and pioneering advances in the Guardian’s global reach. Building on his track record, I intend to lead a media organisation that is bold, challenging, open and engaging. It will be a home for the most ambitious journalism, ideas and events, setting the agenda and reaching out to readers all around the world.”

Outgoing editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger said: “Kath rose up through the Guardian as an inspired magazine and features editor. She took Australia by storm before heading up the Guardian’s American operation. She will bring immense experience, flair, warmth, imagination and formidable energy to her new role as editor of the Guardian.”

The appointment of the new editor-in-chief was made following a search by The Scott Trust in conjunction with an executive search firm. There were 26 applications in total.

Commenting on the appointment process, Liz Forgan said: “This has been a thorough, transparent and, for the first time, international process. We considered a very broad range of candidates across geographies, disciplines and backgrounds - including all those who took part in the editorial hustings - in our determination to leave no stone unturned in the search for the best person to lead this now global and much respected media organisation.”